The Versatile Beech 18
From sculptural beauty to functional transport, the Model 18 is an airplane of many guises.
- By Diane Tedeschi and Caroline Sheen
- AirSpaceMag.com, November 16, 2012
Bill Shull
The Beechcraft Model 18 was manufactured continuously for an astounding 33 years, with nearly 9,000 of the twin-engine transports coming out of the Beech Aircraft factory in Wichita, Kansas. Over the years, the basic design generated 32 variants. So perhaps it’s not surprising that the Model 18 is an aircraft that seems to have been all things to all people.
There’s something about the Beech 18’s good looks and reliability that has inspired those who like to tinker. As this photo gallery attests, there is no shortage of ideas on how to keep the vintage aircraft flying—or at least on display.
Pictured: A Model 18 has landed permanently on top of a volcano at a miniature golf course in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
See the gallery above for more photos of this perennial favorite.
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Comments (6)
Tony Hulman was a long time owner of the Indianapolis Speedway. The founders were a group of industrialists, including Eddie Richenbacher, the WW I ace.
Posted by Norm Samuelson on November 17,2012 | 04:03 PM
That photo of the Navy version should be listed as an SNB, not a C-45. I spent many hours ferrying these aircraft in and out of overhaul at NAS Pensacola, Fla.
Posted by Carl Carlson on November 20,2012 | 09:32 PM
I'll have an Old Fashioned!
Posted by John Ford Davis on November 21,2012 | 08:55 PM
As an Aviation Cadet in the USAAF, in WW II, I flew many bombing and navigation training missions in the AT11. It was a strong, stable bombing trainer, very reliable, and airworthy. The pilots had a landing technique that made all airfoils lose lift simultaneously for perfect flareout and smooth landings . The base had a great safety record with the AT11. We loved the plane.
Posted by Chatham H. Forbes Sr. on December 22,2012 | 03:48 AM
I was a Marine UH-34D mechanic and crew chief stationed at MCAF Tustin in the early 60s, which was a prior Navy Blimp base. One night while we were practicing external load pick ups we watched a SNB make numerous touch and goes. A number of desk pilots got their flight time this way. After many of these landing we watch in horror as the SNB came in lower and lower without the gear down. It got so low we could hear the props hitting the asphalt runway. Immediately, its power came on and it struggled to gain altitude. Finally, after using up all the short runway on this helicopter base it slowly climbed over the Pacific making a slow turn that would set it up for another aproach. It must have taken at least 3 or 4 aproaches before the pilot got this bird down on the deck again. We figured he probably got tired of the gear not down alarm coming on when he pulled power on decent and pulled the breaker. I can not remember if they had to pull the engines following this incident, but just about everyone went over to where it was parked to see the tar on the tips of the props.
Posted by Warren R. Smith on January 22,2013 | 04:48 PM
I got my first pilot certificate in 1956, then my commercial certificate in 1958, then in 1964, I became a military pilot in the US Army. I have had a fun life flying. I worked with the great Paul Mantz as he filmed the Butlert hangar fly thru at Sonoma County for the movie the Mad, Mad, Mad World. I have had done things and been places that I normally would not have been because of my avition career...If I had he chance, I would do it all over again...Flying has been fun.
Bill Rugg
L19G183@comcast.net
Posted by Bill Rugg on February 10,2013 | 04:32 PM